Actor, Floral Park native Alex Cord dies at 88

Brandon Duffy
Floral Park native Alex cord has passed away at his home in Texas at the age of 88. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Hollywood actor Alex Cord, a Floral Park native, died on Aug. 9 at his home in Valley View, Texas. He was 88.

The news was confirmed to Deadline by his longtime friend and talent agent of two decades, Linda McAllister. 

Cord was best known for his portrayal of Michael Coldsmith-Briggs III, otherwise known as “Archangel,” on the show “Airwolf.” His character was the contact between Jan-Michael Vincent’s lead, Stringfellow Hawke, and the Firm, a fictitious department within the Central Intelligence Agency. Archangel would often be filmed donning a white suit, cane and eyepatch. 

The military drama debuted in 1984 and ran for four seasons, with Cord present for three. 

The role came after over two decades in Hollywood performing in various roles in TV and film. His last acting credit came in 2009 for the film “Fire From Below.” 

Aside from his “Airwolf” tenure, Cord appeared in a number of guest spots, including “Gunsmoke,” “Mission: Impossible,” “Police Story” and “The Six Million Dollar Man.” 

Cord’s film credentials include “Synanon,” “Stiletto,” “The Dead Are Alive!” and “Stagecoach.” The remake of the John Wayne classic also starred Ann-Margaret and Bing Crosby. 

Born Alexander Viespi Jr., he left Long Island for Wyoming with his family as a child after he was  diagnosed with polio. Alex was able to ride horses often, one of his passions growing up, as part of his exercise. These skills would be useful as he began to appear in multiple westerns at the onset of his career.

He attended New York University before enrolling in the American Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut, where he played Laertes in “Hamlet.” 

 Cord wrote three novels as well as three screenplays he sold. 

Full information about his marriages was not available.  He is survived by a daughter, Toni Aluisa, and a son, Wayne Viespi. Another child, Damien Zachary, died in 1995.

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